NBA Trade Rumors: Are the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic interested in trading for Frank Ntilikina?
As the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline quickly approaches, there will be a number of teams that will be chasing some big needs. Two of those teams happen to be the Orlando Magic and the Phoenix Suns, who both have a glaring need at the point guard position.
One player that they could be targeting is New York Knicks second-year point guard Frank Ntilikina. The sophomore point guard hasn’t had the greatest of second years for the Knicks this season.
Ntilikina is only averaging six points and three assists per game, on a below average 34 percent shooting from the field and 30 parent from 3-point range. He’s struggled so much that it has brought doubt about whether or not he’s going to be a fit in this team’s future.
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"[via New York Daily News]Despite the Knicks’ clear lack of confidence in Ntilikina, teams have inquired about the 20-year-old, with the Magic and Suns expressing interest, according to a source."
In addition, the Knicks have seen players like Emmanuel Mudiay and Trey Burke jump him in the depth chart at the point guard position. After starting a few games for the Knicks this season, that can’t be the greatest of feelings for the young point guard.
On the flip side, it would be insane for the Knicks to completely throw the towel in on Ntilikina, who is only 20 years old and more than likely still has his best basketball still in front of him. If the Knicks were to punt on Ntilikina, it would have to come at a price.
New York would have to get a first-round pick, at the very least, and probably another veteran or have a team take on one of the team’s long-term contracts. Short of that, I have a hard time believing that the Knicks would just sell low on Ntilikina.
However, both the Suns and Magic have the ability to meet that price point for the Knicks. Question is, will they bring such an offer to the table over the next few weeks?